eveningstcr

[eveningstcr]

Tiana couldn't blame the woman for not knowing much about the town, but it put them in a bit of a strained position having to explain so much with so many people around. The sort of organized crime around town was an open secret, but a secret nonetheless, and Tiana didn't fancy being targeted for anything.

"Oh, I really steer clear of a lot of that stuff," Tiana looked around a little, at men still eyeing them both as their conversation shifted, "But don't let anyone offer you pixie dust, or anything else in a dime baggie. And as nice as these guys offerin' you free stuff is, I'd hedge my bets that they'll want you to pay them back another way later. That kind of scary."

Sarah laughs and playfully pushes their shoulder, taking it as a joke.

"No silly, Massachusetts. Where they hanged witches."

She doesn't even wince at the memory of her first life coming to such a terrible and exhausting end.

"Oh, I'm sure they won't mind my sister's and I. We're not so much competition as we are a different type of scary. At least, I think we are. What kind of scary people are here?"

[eveningstcr]

Tiana held back a frown at Adam's curt response. So sue them for trying to make a genuine connection over anything with the guy...

"You were the one who brought it up," It wasn't as if Tiana didn't know dead parents were a sensitive subject, but some of the things that helped them after James' death was sharing that grief with other people. The pain would never go away entirely, but talking about it helped some days. An interest Adam clearly didn't share.

"I mean, my yearly goal is to always be in a better place than I was last year. Kinda hoping to be making better money with my catering business, so I can buy the old sugar mill uptown," It felt a little silly to be talking about money with Adam, but he obviously wanted to change the subject, "That was my and my dad's dream before he passed."

"You're right, I do hear it a lot." He doesn't comment on how annoying it starts to get, mainly because, for some reason, it actually feels sort of genuine from Tiana. Most people that have told him that throughout his life were business people who didn't really know his parents but put on airs like they did. It's frustrating to have to pretend to accept the condolences.

"What about you? Any resolutions?"

It's abrupt and tactless and not at all how he should direct a normal conversation, but he's drunk, and he definitely doesn't care.

[eveningstcr]

For a moment, Tiana wondered if Wendy's feelings were hurt that they'd given away a gift - maybe she thought Tiana didn't like it? Which wasn't true at all! The story inspired Tiana so much, they had only wanted to push it out so more people could read it, "Don't worry, I kept the copy to gave me!" They tried to explain, "I just went down to the library and scanned in the file to send to them."

And explanation doesn't feel like it helps much though, and it kind of feels like there's a gap in the conversation that Tiana is missing. If Wendy was happy, it would show on her face, that much was certain. But with Wendy keeping her lips sealed and words carefully measured, Tiana could only fill the silence themself with wondering what was wrong, "Girl, you're kind of scaring me here... It's just one letter, and I think it'll be good news!"

If nothing else, Tiana thought it would just be good to get Wendy's name out there. What they would give for a push like that towards their dreams...

she took a moment to let the words sink in and try to process what tiana was telling her. her story- one of her most cherished possessions, one of the literal embodiments of hopes and dreams that she had- was sent of to a publisher.

these were words- sentiments- that to most would've made them leap for joy. to wendy, she felt as if she was standing infront of the guillotine. she leaned back in her seat, her hands gripping the edge of the counter so tightly her knuckles went white. she wasn't sure how to feel.

everything felt overwhelming.

"yes it was finished," she managed, staring intently at the letter. maybe if she stared hard enough it would disappear! "it was a gift to you," she nodded along, "i just... wasn't expecting that you'd just send it off..."

it wasn't tiana's place to do that-

[eveningstcr]

If there were thing it was better Tiana just 'didn't know', they didn't exactly think Peter was being honest about his wounds. Or their friendship. Maybe he was just a lockbox now, unable to open up unless they already knew the correct password. they could warm him up, keep him fed, and clean his wounds, but at the end of the day, Tiana would have to be the one working to know him better. To earn his trust back. that's really what it came down to, in Tiana's mind - if something was wrong, the solution was just to work harder at it. It just had to be.

"I'm not the one trying to stop you from worrying about me. We could worry all we want, doesn't mean it's gonna change things," The waitress laughed a little, thankful for the break in the conversation as they regained a sense of composure. Tiana certainly could admit to having a dangerous sleep schedule and weary bones after long shifts, and they weren't too prideful to admit to that tiredness Eudora would fret over them.

Conversely, Peter seemed to treat their caring for each other like they were striking a deal. Another hint into this new, shady attitude he'd picked up: trading secrets for something else of value to him. Tiana supposed it was reassuring that in this case, their friendship was the thing of value, but felt less comforted by how Peter didn't seem to understand that a deal didn't need to be struck at all. There was no bartering here, with Tiana cooling his bruise and a hearty soup warming up in the kitchen, "I don't think you know I would worry about you even if you didn't think of me at all. Especially right now, sugar, cus let's be honest, you look worrying."

Just like how Tiana looked worrying after a 12 hours shift, with their hair all askew and dark circles doubling under their eyes. They usually avoided mirrors on those days... "And I don't want to go back and forth on this. I'm just trying to say, I think sometimes we don't know what we mean to people before it's too late."

Peter sighed softly, the sound less frustration and more resignation. Tiana knew him well enough to see through his act of indifference and to call him out on the unsaid that most of the other people in Peter's life would overlook for sake of convenience, which meant that there wasn't a point in pretending not to at least understand what they were implying with their concern. " it's not nothing. " he conceeded carefully, hoping that meeting them in the middle would help to at least quell some of their suspicion. " but it also isn't anything that I can't handle. " he knew what it must look like to Tiana — the bruises and the lack of answers as to how they got there — but he was being honest when he told them that this encounter wasn't anything special. he'd seen and handled far worse in his time — and he'd done most of it alone.

he felt his stubborn facade crack just a little at the mention of Tiana's dad, sympathy replacing his indignation as he met her gaze with a rare show of genuine concern. " I'm sorry about your dad. " he knew that it was too late for that apology, that he was probably already years late to having his condolences provide any amount of comfort, but the words tumbled from his lips regardless in a clumsy show of affection. " but you're not losing me. " he may not be able to let them in entirely the way that they surely wanted, but they weren't losing him. he just needed to keep some space between the two of them, to keep a buffer between them and the details of his life that could get them hurt.

and maybe that had been their point the entire time, he realized. he wasn't pushing Tiana away because it was safer for them, despite what he continued to protest, but because he couldn't stomach the idea of being the reason that something happened to them. they were both scared of the same thing, in their own way; both afraid of losing someone that mattered and being left in the aftermath of it alone, too frozen by their fear to give in to the other person. " maybe ... " it felt a little ridiculous to be having this conversation with a compress over one of his eyes, the rare show of sentiment from him somewhat dulled by his current position. " maybe if you worry about me, I can worry about you. " he wasn't sure if it could be that easy, if he was allowed to have something so good so straightforwardly.

" I still can't - there's things it's better you don't know. " he was quick to add stipulations, his gut instinct to retract and pull back and explain until it was safe again. " but maybe ... I mean - it couldn't hurt to have you patch me up and take care of me every now and then, right? " he averted the gaze of his free eye, unaccustomed to offering himself up so freely to other people. " and it might not hurt to let me worry about you overworking yourself while we're at it. "

[eveningstcr]

Tiana hadn't expected Wendy to be jumping for joy over a plain, unopened envelope by any means, but they also hadn't expect her to just... freeze. They'd been friends a good long time, and this definitely wasn't the look of someone overjoyed by opportunity and ambition - but it was but a letter. Why would she be so scared of a letter?

"It's for a literary magazine in Montpelier," Tiana tried to explain, their smile only faltering slightly. Maybe if they just explained a little more, Wendy's eyes would light up again, "The story you gave me was so good! And you said it was finished! And I mean, I loved it so much, and it was just sitting on my shelf..."

The waitress let the sentence trail off. The rest was history: they submitted the story, waited a few weeks, and now they had an answer right in front of them! Wendy could be a published author in no time if she just went for it. She was inches away from it. Unless it was a rejection, of course... A feeling Tiana was all too familiar with, perhaps desensitized to at this point.

wendy wasn't one to be nervous openly. she had learned very early on that putting on a brave face was important- others were depending on her and if she was faltering, it'd only make them want to falter too. so keeping a calm, collected bravado was the way to ensure that no one would panic. her etiquette lessons also hammered in that a proper young woman would keep her cool and chin up- lest she be seen as ill mannered. which were all very bad things as far as george and mary darling were concerned.

however, as with most things, exceptions existed and this was one of them.

there was a noticeable nervous energy to wendy once she'd received the text from tiana. she wasn't trying to make any assumption, but setting the sealed envelope only intensified their worries and concerns.

"oh tiana- why would you-" the young woman was in disbelief more than anything at the moment. everything else will likely hit later, but everything else was nonexistent save for the person and whatever daunting contents in the letter infront of them.

[eveningstcr]

Tiana's eyes widen into the their next sip, practically gagging on the cider as Adam brings up his parent's murder. So candid, probably loosened up by the tipsiness soaking his voice.

"Oh damn," Tiana cleared their throat a little, trying to think of something reasonable to follow that. In truth, the waitress didn't remember the Bete parents very well beyond visiting the house a few times with momma. And after they were gone, Eudora probably just avoided letting Tiana anywhere near those dangerous matters, "I bet you hear this a lot, but... I know what it's like to lose a parent. I would do anything to talk to my dad again."

Adam hums. It actually warms something inside him to hear that at least one person seems alright after coming into contact with his family.

He doesn't know if it's the alcohol or the strange ease he's starting to feel around Tiana but he doesn't even bother putting on a false smile as he answers them.

"Figure out who murdered my parents," he says, a little slurred but still clear. He feels tears prick his eyes and he looks away so he can blink them back.

[eveningstcr]

"Salem? Isn't that in Oregon?" Tiana had never travelled more than a handful of miles outside of town, so anyone coming from across the country was definitely an anomaly. The waitress only grew more confused at the remark about the woods - though maybe it was just a joke? An implication that the men around her at the bar should watch out for a this femme fatale?

"Might want to keep that kind of talk to yourself. There's a lot of 'scary' characters in this town who don't like competition."

"Oh there's nothing scary about the woods," Sarah says. "Especially not when you're scarier than whatever lives inside."

She giggles again.

"We're from Salem." She sighs, remembering their home there and how wonderful though strained their lives had been there. Easier in many ways, harder in others. "We kind of stumbled into town here. It does remind me a lot of Salem though."

[eveningstcr]

"Not just mint! I think there's chocolate, and maybe a mousse in there too. I don't know, Cal just shoved a bunch of bags into my hands to get it out of the fridge," And therefore, Tiana and Arley would be eating good for the next few days to make sure none of it went bad, "I'm sure there's something in the bags for you, even if it's just mashed potatoes."

"We're not allowed to keep it usually! Cal claims it's bad for business," The food waste in the restaurant industry was a real problem, and most of Tiana's bosses preferred to not encourage panhandlers outside of the businesses. Which was just ridiculous, considering peddlers were all over the place whether they liked it or not, "Maaaybe... But we'd have to get the food out in some ways the chef wouldn't notice. I wouldn't want to get accused of stealing, even if the food is just going to the garbage bins."

"Awh, mint chocolate chip?" He began to complain, but stopped himself from carrying on. He could practically hear his mother berating him for being ungrateful. "I mean, mint choc chip's cool. I mean, you can't exactly have bad ice-cream, can you? Can ice-cream even go bad?" He furrowed his brow, now wondering about the process of making ice-cream rather than anything useful or present to the conversation. He linked arms with her, looking around for a moment taking inventory of their surroundings. "Yeah, it's better than going to waste, even if it's gross." he relented. "But, why don't you keep it all from going to waste? Why let any of it get thrown out? Do you have, like, a gross-meter as to what does and doesn't get to come home?" And if she did, how on earth did mint chocolate chip manage to pass the test? "You could always bring it to the uni, those guys would eat just about anything, especially if it's cheap. I'd could help you out, if you wanted. They listen to me, so, I could make sure it stays on the down low."

[eveningstcr]

"And you know what the worst part of it is? I feel so used to it at this point," After years of the economy only getting progressively worse, pretty much nobody believed new businesses could survive. Tiana couldn't believe the same of course - if she did, she'd lose all of her motivation. Sometimes that was all she had left.

"I'm surprised the mini golf place has even survived this long," A business that plenty of high schoolers and young adults kept alive on party nights. As kind of Danny's offer was, Tiana loved the environment of the kitchens and dining room floor too much to leave it, "But I couldn't take a fourth job, I'm already running on fumes every day of the week. Some bosses are just mean like that - they gotta be hard of us so that we keep to the rules."

"Are you kidding me? He really said that?!" Danny squeaked, he couldn't believe what he was hearing. The audacity of anybody to say something like that to anyone, let alone to one of his friends. "They don't get to treat you like that, T. You're better than Cal and all his stupid horsie dreams combined. He's gonna be crazy embarrassed when you prove him wrong. Which you will!" Danny was angry on her behalf, even if there was nothing he could really do to help beyond being aggressively supportive. "Quintessa doesn't talk to me like that, but, I don't got big dreams like you do. I don't think she really notices me at all. And that's okay, if she did? I'd just be worried I was messing up all the time." He paused for a moment before looking over at her. "Maybe you should come work with us? I mean, I wouldn't complain if we started serving awesome food..."

[eveningstcr]

"The woods? Girl, that's bravery," Tiana hadn't stepped into the woods on the outskirts of town since they were a little precocious kid with no fear of the darkness and whatever ( whoever? ) could be hiding out there, "You'll have to teach me you house-hunting ways, cus I've been stuck in the same one-bedroom on the east side since I moved out."

What a lucky life it must've been to just stumble upon an adorable little cottage - Tiana didn't really feel like telling patrons where they lived, but honestly, a house with no rent was a dream comparitively, "Where's home for y'all then? Most people don't stay in Godscobh for too long."

Sarah flips her hair at the compliment. Obviously, she's a hit, but she'll never say no to someone pointing it out.

She sips another drink before she answers. "We found this adorable cottage on the edge of the woods. Perfect for us. Reminds us of home. Where do you live? What's fun to do around here besides being here?"

She gestures around the place then waves at the men staring longingly at her. She's pretty sure at least one actually passes out.

[eveningstcr]

"Oh, she's an old lady now, she's enjoying retirement," Well, as retired as their family could be. Eudora still did people's sewing and laundry for a little extra money, but thank goodness the house was paid off now or Tiana would have a rent and mortgage to worry about, "She'd probably be thrilled that I'm not working on a holiday too."

A luxury Adam seemed all-too accustomed to, but no judgements. It must've been kind of nice just getting to drink and party without worrying about going into work with a hangover the next morning, "Any new year's resolutions?"

Adam glances at the cup, quickly having a debate on whether it's worth continuing the conversation or not. Then he grunts and taps his cup against theirs.

"Happy New Year," he echoes then chugs more of his drink. He'll need a refill soon. "So what does your mom do now? Been a few years since you both were at the mansion."

He's honestly curious. He only vaguely remembers the staff that had left after the murders. The few that had stayed had filled nearly every crevice of memory he's had since then, trying to help raise him and shape him into a man his parents could be proud of.

[eveningstcr]

closed starter // @hrcxati

When Tiana had first gotten the call about another catering opportunity, they just about dropped everything - a local art gallery was hosting a very-exclusive, very-well paying exhibit opening. Exactly the kind of event that kept their catering business alive and kept the rent money coming in. Of course, for such a big event, Tiana knew they'd need help, and who better for it than the friend they knew needed a little extra cash too? Hercules made a great addition to the team, with his winning smile and adorable bow tie. As the evening wore on, they moved seamlessly between serving guests, with relatively no slip-ups ( yet ).

"I'm thinking that one looks like a fire hydrant?" The waitress whispered as they returned to the hors d'oeuvres table. They didn't have much time to look at the art while serving, though some of the sculpture pieces were pretty hard to miss, "Or maybe a skyscraper?"

[eveningstcr]

closed starter // @blvewdnsdys

Ever since Wendy had handed over her most recent manuscript, Tiana was itching to do something with it. For someone so ambitious, the waitress couldn't really see how Wendy could get so bogged down in her own self doubt and not explore what could happen to a story fully written, just sitting on the shelf. Which was precisely why they'd submitted the story to a literary magazine right after the new year...

It was only a few weeks of waiting before hearing back, and when a sealed envelope showed up at Tiana's apartment, they'd texted Wendy immediately to meet up with a quick 'remember how you gave me that story...'. Surely Wendy would forgive them, especially if it was good news.

"Now you know I'd do anything for you, sugar," Tiana slipped behind their kitchen counter sheepishly, pushing the envelope clearly labeled with the name of a magazine, "I thought you should be the one to open it."

[eveningstcr]

Tiana only hummed in response for a moment, an acknowledgement that they probably did have a better relationship with bar patrons than Peter did. A bar fight around Tiana would be broken up in moments, and Peter was obviously hinting at... Well, something darker. With the way he was describing it, the waitress didn't quite believe that he wasn't hiding a stab wound or broken rib under his jacket. But they wouldn't push it if he didn't want to be pushed.

"Peter, I know you're trying to make this sound like it's nothing, but it doesn't look like 'nothing' to me," Fights like this didn't happen for no reason. He could try to minimize it as much as he wanted, but Tiana still remembered enough of his little cues to know when he was covering something up. Life was messy, that was a fact. Tiana had already felt the loss of their father so many years ago. They couldn't let anyone else go without a fight.

"Yknow, when I lost my dad, I felt like I lost everything. My momma and I were destroyed, she could barely stand up. I missed the way he could convince me to believe in myself, I missed having him warm up the house," Maybe parents weren't something Peter could relate to personally, but the thought of losing anyone in their life just made Tiana emotional. If Peter really was in trouble, he could at least know there's someone who would care if he got hurt ( or worse ), "When I think about losing someone I care about..."

Tiana's voice caught for a moment, though they quickly covered it was a sigh. If the waitress remembered correctly, Peter wasn't big on big weepy sentiments - maybe he didn't spot the moment of feeling with a cloth held over one eye, "I just mean... What I'm tryna say is, I know why you don't want me to get close again," Sometimes it was easier to distance all their relationship and focus on work, money, achievements. Everything they could do to not feel alone in life, "So don’t you go worrying about me doing too much either. Cooking's what I do. And I’d rather be here making sure you’re alright than sitting anywhere else wondering if you’re okay."

Peter's brows furrowed just slightly, something about the idea of Tiana assuming that his compliment had been purely for niceties sake not settling the right way with him. " I'm not just saying it. I mean it. " how could he not? when the place he called home was a makeshift office at the back of the Hangmans Tree, it didn't leave him a lot of room to judge where anyone else rested their head. " this place is nice. it ... feels like a home. " with their approval to make himself at home, he made his way over to the couch before taking a seat. " you don't have to cook for me too, you know. " he murmured, a small flicker of guilt in his chest over making Tiana do so many things on his behalf.

" oh, I'm sure you have. but who would ever pick a fight with you while you were in a bar? " he murmured, his gaze tracking their movements around the room as he spoke, watching as they gathered the supplies needed to tend to him and feeling just a little helpless in the process. " I mean - I don't think I've ever seen you even be impolite to anyone. " granted, a lot of bar fights weren't started for the most logical of reasons, but he still struggled to imagine Tiana in a situation like that. they were too kind, too patient. " not to mention they'd have to deal with half the town lining up to avenge you afterward if word got out. " he hesitated just briefly then, recalling all of Tiana's promises to care for him and deciding to hand out one of his own. " me included. " he turned his body toward Tiana once they took their seat beside him, angling himself in their direction.

" my stomach would thank me too if I made my way to your side, I imagine. but you know that I — " his protests died on his tongue when he felt Tiana press the cold cloth to the side of his head, his words replaced by a sharp hiss through his teeth instead. " would you believe me if I said it wasn't too bad? " he murmured sheepishly, a lopsided smile on his cracked lips. " and that I'm sure it looks worse than it actually is? "

[eveningstcr]

"I believe you, baby, promise. And you'll get all the mint chocolate chip you want as a payment," Tiana chuckled, holding an elbow up for the younger man to take. If he insisted on an escort, Tiana certainly wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth. Leaving the restaurants on late nights was already a little scary sometimes, and now with the street completely dark? It was just nice to have Arley there.

"Hey, at least I'm making sure the 'gross' stuff doesn't go to waste. Sometimes there's so much food we have to throw out at the eat of the night, it's just sad," Food that could easily be donated to the homeless around town... But a lot of business owners didn't want people like that hanging around their shops, "If stuff doesn't get eaten, it just gets taken to the dump to rot."

"Well, neither do I. So, that's good then, isn't it?" He insisted, unwilling to budge from his initial stance. "Means we can just enjoy the walk home. I don't have to worry about having to save you." he paused for a beat, before tacking on, "Which I could totally do, if I had to. Wouldn't even be hard to do." "What a killer combo." He screwed up his face, nose twitching as she handed over the takeout. "I'm a vegetarian, so, you're on your own with the gross half. The ice-cream, however... I mean, if you needed saved from ice-cream, the offer would still stand."

[eveningstcr]

Damn. This dude either really wanted Tiana to spit on his nicely polished shoes or he had the social skills of a rock. Maybe both. Tiana was used to being appraised like they weren't really a human being, but that didn't mean they had to put up with it.

"Ha-ha, you're hilarious, sugar," Tiana's laugh came out more like a scoff, their smile more exasperated than angry, "If you're done starin' at me like a goon, why don't we start fresh?" They held the plastic cider cup up like a toast, "Happy New Year."

Adam scoffs at the suggestion he'd have a terrible memory, but takes another gulp of cider.

"I always have a driver," he says. "Perks of my job. Just like I'm sure nice clothes are a perk of your mom's."

He looks Tiana over with a skeptical expression.

"At least I thought so."

[eveningstcr]

"Well, you're a hit already," From living in the town for so many years, Tiana hardly ever recalled new people coming and staying. It wasn't a great place to start a family or plant roots, not when the ground was shifting all the time. Maybe new folks would be a good thing though, new faces brought new business and might revive some of the town.

"Where's your home then? I've lived here my whole life, and we almost never find folks who really like the 'quaint' we have."

Sarah pouts finding out the food isn't actually French. It's a shame. Maybe she can convince Winnie they need to visit France after they get their full powers back?

Ignoring the other strange words the nice server said, Sarah perks up again.

"Yes. My sisters and I arrived not too long ago. We're trying to get settled in this quaint little town of yours. Almost reminds us of home."